142 THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



the plans of training, will be worthy of notice by American 

 grape growers. 



First comes the exposition. It is the established opinion, 

 in vineyard culture, that the best fruit is produced where the 

 vine receives the most sun, not upon the fruit, but upon the 

 foliage. Prince says, " Theibaut de Berneaud remarks, that 

 an eastern aspect would be preferable to all others, if it did 

 not expose the plants, during the first warm days of spring, 

 to be blasted by the burning rays of the sun operating upon 

 the small icicles, each of which acts as a lens. A southern 

 exposure (he continues,) is generally too hot in a warm cli- 

 mate, and a western one is least to be desired, as the plant 

 there receives a direct heat after the early hours of the day 

 have abstracted the moisture, and, therefore, dries and bums 

 it ; and he recommends, as a general rule, that, in southern 

 regions, an eastern aspect should have the preference, and, in 

 northern ones, that a southern exposure should be selected." 

 — Prince's Treatise, page 46. 



Yet there are exceptions to these rules. Vineyards with 

 northern exposures have become celebrated, probably owing to 

 favorable circumstances of soil. In the southern part of the 

 United States, it will be best to try every situation, as the 

 retarding of vegetation a short time might be the means of 

 saving the fruit, either from being destroyed by a late frost, 

 or from excessive rains, at the time of inflorescence, or from 

 rot, caused by too much wet, at a later period. 



The plan pursued by American horticulturists in vineyard 

 and garden culture, in some instances in their own language, 

 is described, and as it appears settled from these accounts 

 that our native grapes (different varieties succeeding in var 

 rious sections of the country,) answer every purpose of vine- 

 yard culture, there does not appear to be any occasion to try 

 any others, excepting on a small scale for the dessert. 



Mr. Hoare says, " In the choice of a good aspect, there- 

 fore, shelter from high Avinds, and those aspects that are the 

 least exposed to their effects, and that receive a full portion 



